Tyler Smith, a heart transplant recipient and LeBonheur patient, leads the Memphis Tigers through the traditional Tiger Walk at the Liberty Bowl before their game against UCF on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal

The common thread in Memphis’ losses? Not getting critical stops in the second half.

It was a dilemma the Tigers had in their road games against Tulane and Navy, and it followed them home in their loss to Central Florida on Saturday. Nowhere was it clearer than on a fourth-and-1 play in the third quarter when UCF scored on a 71-yard run.

Here is a breakdown of the play after a film study from Saturday’s loss.

The set-up

Memphis led 30-17, but after punting on their third straight drive of the second half, the Tigers responded by forcing what they thought was a three-and-out at the UCF 29-yard line. With 2:51 left, both UCF and Memphis called timeouts, and during the second timeout UCF coach Josh Heupel decided to go for it despite being deep in his own territory.

“You’re stuck in a fourth-and-1, critical situation, two-possession game. You feel like you got to make a play to help extend it and get some momentum on your side,” Heupel said. “It’s also a really manageable situation.”

Memphis defensive coordinator Chris Ball said he expected UCF to bring out its heavy package, and it did, including defensive lineman Trysten Hill at fullback.

What happened next wasn't so much Memphis making mistakes as excellent blocking by UCF and an all-too familiar feeling.

“We knew that was coming and got lined up. They knocked us off the ball," Ball said.

The play

As UCF's front line surged against Memphis, tight end Jake Hescock threw a key block on Memphis safety Tyrez Lindsey. Hill added the finishing touch by blocking cornerback TJ Carter into the ground as Taj McGowan zipped through the hole to the end zone.

Both Heupel and Tigers coach Mike Norvell agreed that play turned the game around.

“They elected to take a risk and go for it,” Norvell said. “We were able to be in position, but they did a great job executing.”

Memphis regrouped to force a fumble on UCF’s next possession, but UCF took the lead for good on its first drive of the fourth quarter.

Another late defensive lapse

The play harkened back to similar moments in Memphis’ previous losses. Against Navy, Memphis allowed quarterback Malcolm Perry to run for a 19-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to spark the Midshipmen’s comeback win.

Three weeks later at Tulane, Memphis trailed 17-14 but allowed a touchdown to end the third quarter. A blitz allowed quarterback Justin McMillan to a find a wide-open Darnell Mooney for a 51-yard score that led to Tulane pulling away with 23 unanswered points in its win.

McGowan’s touchdown might have come earlier in the game than the previous two moments, but it was still another time that Memphis' defense gave up a play that set the stage for troubles to come.

Ball, however, said it wouldn't affect Memphis (4-3) heading to Missouri (3-3) on Saturday (3 p.m., SEC Network). His solution? Fix things on the field and not worry about the past.

“I don’t know if it’s a mental thing. It’s just physical,” Ball said. “We’ve got to make a play, and (if) one guy on the short yardage gets out of his gap, they’re going (to) get it. It’s not one particular thing. I think it’s one guy not doing his job.”